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The DRIVE II and Marvel II are right here, and Elitewheels claims they’re higher than ever. Specs-wise, they’re. However are they well worth the improve? On this article, I’ll study what’s new, break down the specs, and examine them to a few of the greatest Chinese language carbon wheels to see in the event that they’re game-changers or simply one other iteration.
DRIVE vs. DRIVE II: What’s New?
In brief, DRIVE II wheels at the moment are out there in numerous rim depths of 36, 50, and 65mm. The 40mm was changed with a 36mm possibility. Surprisingly, the burden remained the identical for all these depths (so the DRIVE II 36D has the identical weight because the DRIVE 40D).
What modified, although, is the rim width. Elitewheels observe the development of wider rims. The inner rim width elevated from 21 to 23mm and the exterior one from 28 to 31mm. This width makes the wheels higher optimized for 28 or wider tires. I like to recommend studying my article on the best wheel and tire width for more information.
DRIVE II wheels must be 5W quicker than the DRIVE. They had been examined within the Silverstone wind tunnel, however extra particulars are but to be printed. I simply seen that DRIVE wheels had been examined with the Evolve CIMA street bike body. It appears that evidently Elitewheels and Evolve are cooking one thing collectively as a result of Evolve was co-founded by the Elitewheels founder. So, keep tuned for more information.
The carbon spokes at the moment are 1.3mm wider, reaching a width of 4.5mm. They aren’t bonded anymore. The development of the hubs modified a bit. Elitewheels declare that they’re as simply replaceable as metal spokes. From the at present out there photographs, it appears the spokes should not slid into flanges from the edges however reasonably threaded by way of the eyelets. This could be certain that if one spoke fails, the opposite spokes is not going to separate from the hub and can stay in place.
These carbon spokes must be 8% stiffer laterally. Every spoke weighs round three grams. In case you are uncertain whether or not carbon spokes are good for you, learn my article evaluating metal vs. carbon spokes.
One other change value mentioning is the hubs division. DRIVE II incorporates a “Kinetic hub.” Elitewheels left the pawl-ratchet mechanism and used a 50T star ratchet system. They need to improve the engagement floor space and enhance longevity. Effectively, we are going to see! Elitewheels additional explains that the brand new hubs characteristic new seals that ought to scale back the probability of ingress by filth and moisture. These hubs use S&S ceramic bearings. Hopefully, they’re higher high quality than the earlier ones, which began to wear down earlier than anticipated throughout my testing of DRIVE wheels.
The decals have additionally modified to permit others to acknowledge that you’ve a second era. As an alternative of two DRIVE logos, there at the moment are 3, and so they have a distinct coloration. They’re supplemented with different patterns.
Lastly, the worth elevated from 1189 USD to 1299 USD. This worth bump was anticipated, as the primary era DRIVE wheels had been launched already in 2022.
Marvel vs. Marvel II: What’s New?
Marvel wheels noticed extra important enhancements and can be extra compelling than ever. They’re now wider and far lighter. Their inner width elevated from solely 17mm to 23mm and the exterior from 28mm to 31mm. The common weight discount is 200g per wheelset. See the next desk.
This weight discount was primarily achieved by utilizing Alpina Ultralight Aero spokes, which you may also discover on the Farsports C wheels that I reviewed final 12 months.
Elitewheels additionally talks in regards to the “revolutionary lowered hook design.” This characteristic ought to “mix the advantages of each hooked and hookless rims, delivering aerodynamic efficiency and optimum tire form whereas sustaining safety and tire compatibility.” Effectively, I’m fairly interested by this one. Keep tuned for extra particulars.
Sadly, the worth bump is fairly important. The worth jumped from 599 USD to 839 USD. Whereas Elitewheels has delivered main updates to this wheelset, I believe they are going to be a tricky promote in comparison with wheels such because the Elitewheels EDGE, finally barely dearer YOELEO NxT SL 2. We’ll see.
Will the DRIVE II and Marvel II Wheels Be Aggressive?
Prior to now half a 12 months or so, opponents akin to Farsports or YOELEO launched new generations of their wheels. They pushed the burden nearer to that 1300g mark (for a 50mm wheelset) and even decrease. Additionally they have comparable rim widths. Routinely, the query arises whether or not the DRIVE II and Marvel II wheels are aggressive.
The primary era of DRIVE wheels was already forward of its time. The 2nd era introduced us a pleasant specs bump however nothing revolutionary. Specs-wise, it mainly addresses most shortcomings. Nonetheless, I can already hear just a few folks complaining (good day, Chris Miller and Jessy Coyle) that they don’t seem to be broad sufficient.
With Marvel II, nonetheless, it’s one other story. Their enhancements are rather more noticeable, however the identical could be mentioned in regards to the worth, which elevated by 40%. Fortunately, you’ll be able to benefit from the next codes that provide you with good reductions on the primary generations.
What do you consider these new wheels? Let me know within the feedback beneath, and bear in mind to hitch my Fb group, the place we focus on the whole lot associated to Chinese language bikes.
